Lace up your running shoes, pick out your running costumes, grab your fuel, and get ready to run some magical miles during this Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! Starting on January 4, 2024, racers will traverse courses filled with “character,” entertainment, and motivation.
January 3, 2024, marks the beginning of Marathon Weekend with the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo. Participants must attend the expo at least one day before their race(s) to pick up their bib(s) and registration. If you're running, make sure to fill out your digital waiver form before arrival. To enter the expo, all attendees must join the virtual queue to purchase official runDisney event weekend merchandise on the first day of the Expo. To join the virtual queue, you must be within 45 miles of Walt Disney World property. Gold or Platinum runDisney members do not need to join a virtual queue for early shopping windows. Don’t forget to keep your expo check-in pass easily accessible to pick up your runner's packet, available by January 2. Along with exclusive merchandise, several vendor booths will offer every running essential, from shoes to fuel. Runners can even stop by the KT tape booth to get taped for race readiness.
Transportation
Runners staying at Walt Disney World Resorts will receive complimentary transportation to the starting line of their races. Upon arriving at your resort, check for RunDisney signage posted outside and in the lobby for the most accurate bus times. We highly recommend arriving at the bus 10 minutes before departure. For guests using personal transportation or rideshare, check your email for the most up-to-date pick-up and drop-off locations for each race. If you’re heading to the parks on race day, expect traffic impacts on both Saturday and Sunday due to road closures for the Half Marathon and Marathon. Allow extra time to reach your destination on time.
PhotoPass
If you haven't added Memory Maker to your vacation, we HIGHLY recommend doing so to gain access to your race photos! Numerous PhotoPass photographers will be on and off the race course. Take photos with characters before and during your race, action shots, and finishing photo ops. Your race photos will be loaded onto your My Disney Experience app through your bib number. RunDisney event photos will be available in the My Disney Experience app within 48 hours of each race.
The steps to link your photos:
Login at MyPhotoPass.com
Select “link photos”
Enter your 16-digit code (the 11-digit RaceID plus your 5-digit bib number; if your bib number is less than 5 digits, add zeros before your bib number).
Races
Thursday, January 4th, at 5 am kicks off the first race of the weekend, the 5k! Go the first distance with everyone’s favorite pup, Pluto, who the race is themed after. Next up on Friday is the 10K, where runners will go nuts with Chip and Dale. Donald and Daisy will join runners for the half marathon, and Mickey and Minnie will be the stars of the Marathon. Marathon weekend is also known as “Dopey” weekend because the Dopey Challenge includes running all four races! That's FOUR days in a row that these runners are waking up bright and early to complete these magical miles. For runners not feeling Dopey, there is Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which includes the half marathon and the marathon.
Post-Race
Celebrate your HUGE accomplishment upon finishing! Enjoy your runner's box of treats, Powerade, and water. Runners who want to celebrate with something a little stronger can purchase beer and wine after crossing the finish line in the beer tent. Coffee and breakfast pastries are also available for purchase at the Joffrey's food truck. There are several photo opportunities to take advantage of with PhotoPass photographers, featuring finishing paddles, mile markers, and much more. Once you’re ready to head back to your resort, complimentary buses will be waiting to bring you back. These buses often stop at multiple resorts. Take a nap after that early morning, freshen up, but don’t forget to head to the parks to take medal photos and celebrate!
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